Did you know that there is a word for "to chase girls around the haystacks after dark"? Mark Forsyth certainly does, and he took every opportunity to use it during his Edinburgh book festival talk on some of the English language's most obscure words.

Author of two books on the subject - The Etymologicon and The Horologicon - Forsyth's etymological enthusiasm was palpable and infectious.

When exhausted by that haystack "sprunting", what better to do than "gongoozle" (to stare idly at a canal or watercourse and do nothing) to avoid becoming "wamblecropped" (overcome with indigestion).

The supermarket, he revealed, was a treasure-trove of neologistic usage, with double-sided shelves known as "gondolas", and hanging advertising boards called either "danglers" or "wobblers" depending on whether they, well, dangle or wobble.

But while Forsyth made a good case for English being one of the world's most eccentric languages, he pointed out that it is actually very difficult to introduce an entirely new word; when asked how he would do so by an audience member, he recommended slipping it into a number one single.

Crime writer Ian Rankin has made an Edinburgh specialism of mingling with musicians - he was on stage at the weekend with Joy Division's Peter Hook - but he's more likely to slip unusual words into a novel than a song.

So when you next hook up with Rebus, look out for "fud" - a Scottish word which, as Rankin revealed in one of a series of "Authors' words" videos, is a lot less rude now than it was when it was originally used.

We'll be adding to the series throughout the festival, collaring unsuspecting authors and asking them to tell us their favourite words, with entertaining - and at times mildly disturbing - results. You can see more of them in our live blog.

What would be yours? It doesn't have to be joyous, like Patrick Ness's choice, or five syllables long and unspellable - like Ann Widdecombe's - you just have to love it. Post your word in the comment thread below and remember to tell us why you've chosen it.